Although he’s not trying to replace Suggs, Upshaw will need to step in right away and make an impact. The former Alabama star will hope to have a year similar to the players below -- five of the best Ravens’ rookie seasons in team history.

Smith set team rookie records in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns with 50, 841 and seven, respectively. Long lacking a playmaker that can stretch the field, the Ravens hope Smith's last season is just a stepping stone for something even greater in the future.

Boulware played just eight NFL seasons, all in Baltimore, and his rookie season was one of his finest. Selected fourth overall in 1997, the Florida State product had 66 tackles, 11.5 sacks and a forced fumble as a rookie. Boulware was named AP Defensive Rookie of the year for his efforts.

3. Terrell Suggs, DE, 2003

Suggs may have started just one game as a rookie and made just 27 tackles, but he made quite the impact regardless. The Arizona State product had 12 sacks and six force fumbles, which both remained career highs before a stellar 2011 campaign in which he eclipsed both. The No. 10 pick in the 2003 NFL Draft was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year that season, as well. The Ravens won the AFC North that year, going 10-6 before falling to the Titans, 20-17, in the Wild Card round.

In 2002, the Ravens had 19 rookies and first year players on their roster, one being Reed. As the 24th overall pick in the previous April’s Draft, the University of Miami product was expected to step in and contribute right away. He finished the season with 85 tackles, five interceptions, one sack and 12 pass breakups.

The fifth overall pick out of Tennessee in the 2000 NFL Draft, the Ravens had high hopes for Lewis right away and he delivered. In his first NFL season, Lewis ran for 1,364 yards and six touchdowns. As a freshman with the Volunteers, coincidentally, Lewis also ran for 1,364 yards. He helped lead the Ravens to a 34-7 win over the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV with 103 yards and a touchdown, becoming the second rookie to eclipse the century mark on the ground in the NFL’s biggest game.